So close ... U.S. players react after the Women's World Cup final in Frankfurt, Germany, in which they dominated play but lost on penalty kicks. Despite a huge edge in scoring opportunities and leads of 1-0 and 2-1, the Americans are defeated by Japan 3-1 on penalty kicks.

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This loss hits home

Jessica Doyle, center, and other fans react in Washington as the U.S. loses to Japan during the Women's World Cup final in Germany. (AP Photo)

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Hope ends here

U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo shows her pain after Japan wins the Women's World Cup on penalty kicks. (AP Photo)

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Denied

Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori grabs the ball to prevent Abby Wambach and a swarm of Americans from scoring in the Women's World Cup final. This became another missed opportunity the Americans would rue. (AP Photo)

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Catching iron

The ball hits the bar as Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori looks on during the Women's World Cup final. The U.S. came oh, so close oh, so often in the title match. (AP Photo)

A pro-United States crowd celebrates the 3-1 U.S. victory over France in the World Cup semifinals. The Americans will go for their third World Cup title when they play Japan in Sunday's championship. Kickoff is 2:45 p.m. ET.

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Piling on

Three minutes after Abby Wambach's score put the U.S. ahead, Alex Morgan made sure it held up. Morgan, 22, got her first career World Cup goal in the 82nd minute to put the match out of reach.

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Time to celebrate

Abby Wambach, left, and Megan Rapinoe, the duo that teamed up to help beat Brazil, celebrate another crucial Wambach goal in Wednesday's semifinals against France.

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France's net loss

Despite attempts to mark her in the box and keep her grounded, Abby Wambach soars for a goal in the 79th minute. France defenders are stunned by the outcome.

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Using her head

France battled back to tie the score 1-1 in Wednesday's semifinal match against the United States, but the Americans turned to veteran Abby Wambach. Her header off a corner kick in the 79th minute gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead.

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Quick start

Lauren Cheney got the U.S. off on the right foot early in the semifinals match against France. Her finish in the ninth minute made it 1-0.

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Waving the flag

U.S. fans sing the national anthem before the Americans' semifinal match against France.

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Stunning turnaround

Alex Krieger, left, buried her penalty kick to give the U.S. an insurmountable 5-3 lead in PKs. It meant the Americans would move on to the semifinals, and Krieger took off in a sprint to celebrate with teammates Christie Rampone (3) and Alex Morgan (13).

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Saving the match

Abby Wambach's incredible goal tied it 2-2 and sent the game into penalty kicks. Hope Solo, shown here celebrating, made the key save on Brazil's third attempt, taken by Daiane.

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Wambach answers

Down 2-1 in overtime, and in stoppage time, things looked grim for the United States. But it made one last run, and Megan Rapinoe's cross set up this header from Abby Wambach that gave the Americans a stunning equalizer.

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Marta moment

The Brazilians didn't waste a second attempt at a penalty kick. Five-time FIFA Player of the Year Marta converted it in the 68th minute to tie the match 1-1.

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Reversal of fortunes

Following the red card against the U.S., keeper Hope Solo made a brilliant save on the ensuing penalty kick to keep her side ahead 1-0. But a yellow card gave Brazil a retry.

United States defender Rachel Buehler was issued a red card on this foul on Marta. Not only did Brazil receive a penalty kick, but Buehler was tossed from the game, forcing the Americans to play with 10 the rest of the way.

The United States got off to a great start against Brazil in the quarterfinals without even doing too much. Abby Wambach made a nice run on the ball and sent it into the box, but Brazilian star Daiane misplayed it into an own goal.

Megan Rapinoe receives a kiss from an unidentified spectator after the U.S. beats Colombia 3-0 in the second match of Group C play. Rapinoe scored in the 50th, then ran over to a TV microphone to sing "Born in the USA."